Scored a couple of wheelset deals on eBay this weekend. Buying used is always a bit of a crap shoot but you save so much money I think it's worth the risk. I can't remember the last time I bought something that was in worse condition than the seller described. There is a ton of great equipment out there that is barely used, and thanks to 11 speed, the 10 speed stuff I'm looking for is "obsolete". Got both wheelsets below with tires and matching skewers for $800 shipped.
Shimano Dura-Ace 7850 SL
These are for the Trek 5200 road bike I'm currently building from scratch (see
this topic for more info). Scandium alloy rim and titanium freehub body with a listed weight of just 1514g. Road Tubeless ready (nice!) and angular contact bearings. Rim width 15mm. Straight pull 16 stainless bladed spokes front & 20 spokes rear, red aluminum nipples which I think look pretty cool. I like the finish on the hubs too - that polished alloy look, not chrome. Continental Grand Prix 4000 and 3000 tires, probably 23mm. Top of the line wheelset in 2010 and got really good reviews. Cost including tires about $1250 new.
HED Ardennes LT Tubular
My first tubulars! These are 23mm C2 rims, bladed Sapim spokes 18 straight pull front & 24 J-bend rear, sonic hubs. Currently shod with Challenge Grifo XS hardpack gravel tubulars (file tread and very small side knobbies) plus an extra unused tire. Looking forward to giving them a go on the Felt F1X and see how they feel on the dirt and grass compared to my Bontrager CX0 clinchers.
Not sure how much use I'll get out of the Grifo XS tread pattern around here, look like they would be good for summer riding but won't offer much grip during the wet cross season. Weight is about the same as the clinchers, 1517g claimed, because HED apparently built the tubular wheels to be stronger for racing conditions. Cost including tires $1200 new.
(HED still sells this wheelset so I guess it must be pretty well liked)
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HED Ardennes LT Tubular Grifo XS.JPG
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Challenge Grifo XS Cyclocross Tire White.jpg
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